Teslin Lake Update - July 26, 2011

After 6 days of operation, a total of 138 birds of 30 species have been banded at TLBO. As is typically the case at this time of year, the birds captured at the station are dominated by local breeders. The top species banded to date include; Yellow Warbler (21), Dark-eyed Junco (14), Myrtle Warbler (11), Swainson's Thrush (10) and American Redstart (9).

The number of American Redstarts appear to be relatively high this year and it is estimated that there are three family groups roaming the study site on a daily basis. We have also been fortunate in capturing woodpeckers (which we do not normally capture at TLBO) including 3 Downy Woodpeckers, a Northern Flicker and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. This is only the 6th sapsucker ever banded at TLBO and the first ever banded in the fall ! A new species for TLBO, a Brown-headed Cowbird was also banded on the 26th,

The same can be said for sandpipers, to date we have captured 2 Spotted Sandpipers and 2 Solitary Sandpipers. On the 24th, three separate broods of Spotted Sandpipers were observed in the count area.

We also had a few interesting band recoveries of birds previously banded at the site including; adult male Northern Waterthrush banded May 27, 2007, adult male Yellow Warbler banded August 10, 2008, adult female Myrtle Warbler banded July 16, 2010 and adult male American Redstart banded August 17, 2008.

Some notable bird observations in the count area to date have included; Western Tanager on the 22nd and 23rd and a Magnolia Warbler on the 24th.


male Northern Flicker


Least Flycatcher


Downy Woodpecker


adult male American Redstart